Body art

Body art

Body art is a practice of physical body adornment, alteration or modification by tattooing, piercing, or other means. It can be considered a form of body modification.

History

The history of body art is as old as human civilization itself. Tattoos, scarification, piercing, and other forms of body modification have been practiced by various cultures across the globe for thousands of years.

Types of Body Art

Tattooing

Tattooing is a form of body art where indelible ink is inserted into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos can be purely decorative, symbolic, or used for identification purposes.

Piercing

Body piercing is another common form of body art. This involves puncturing a part of the body to create an opening in which jewelry may be worn.

Scarification

Scarification is a form of body art that involves scratching, etching, or cutting into the skin to create a design that will heal to form a raised scar.

Body Painting

Body painting is a temporary form of body art. Unlike tattoos and other forms of body art, body painting is temporary, painted onto the human skin, and lasts for only several hours.

Health Risks

Like all forms of physical modification, body art comes with its own set of health risks. These can include infection, allergic reactions, and complications from improper aftercare.

Cultural Significance

Body art has been used in many cultures to signify status, religious beliefs, and aesthetic beauty. It is also used as a form of self-expression and identity.

See Also

• Tattoo machine
• Tattoo artist
• Body modification
• Body piercing
• Scarification
• Body painting